YOUTH IN ACTIVISM: THE CAMP
Youth Experiential Learning Program that blends
activism with non-formal education.
YOUth in ACTivism: The camp consisted of 3 main activities: Online Preparatory Meeting, Youth Exchange, and a Follow-up Period with local actions in each partner country.
The idea behind this project was to bring together LGBTQIA+ and allies youth, in a shared safe and brave space, where they could explore and experience different forms of activism, starting from the form of community building.
35 young people from Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal and Slovenia, came together to create the “activists camp” of their dreams, learning from each other, exchanging experiences and knowledge while having fun and building their camp community.

DISSEMINATION
Digital Outcomes
In their small teams, the group seized the opportunity to work on different topics about the LGBTQIA+ community and discover digital activism in an interactive way. They got to produce videos, a photo project, a research and a podcast.
Follow the link to Resources to find the videos.
Camp Zine Outcome
One of the forms of activism explored during the project was related to artivism. Specifically, the group discovered the power of zine-making, where they created a collective zine, self-expressing themselves and contributing to the experience.
Follow the link to Publications to find out more.
Interviews with participants
Some of the participants of the camp have shared their insights, and takeaways from their experience in the project. In the two videos they talk about their magical moments, what community building means to them and more.
Check above to watch the two videos.
ONLINE APV
The Advanced Planning Visit, due to the covid-19 pandemic, took place online in two different dates during August 2021.
The group leaders of the project met first all together in the Online Preparatory Meeting on 9th of August 2021. During this meeting, they kicked off the main activities of the project, bonding with each other, preparing for the activities of the Youth Exchange, sharing of new ideas and their enthusiasm about their teams and the project happening after the pandemic and the physical distancing that had a significant impact on the LGBTQIA+ communities.
Participants together with group leaders met on 19.08 for the Online Group Meeting where they were able to connect, prepare themselves for the Youth Exchange and clarify practicals questions about their travel, the venue, the daily program, the learning approach and more.
The online meetings were a catalyst of empowerment and of excitement for our young activists who began building their camp community and learning from each other.
EXCHANGE
YOUth in ACTivism: The Camp Exchange took place in Ommen, the Netherlands between 25th of August and 5th of September 2022.
35 individuals from the 7 participating countries of the project met together, in order to experience a 12 days of a dynamic skills-based program and focus on exploring activism within the LGBTQIA+ community.
During the program, the inspiring Activists:
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Got to create their own community within a safe and brave space, bonding with each other and nurturing peer learning
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Experienced different non-formal learning methods – fostering theirs and each other’s learning, and competencies
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Met with Dutch LGBTQIA+ activists through the Drag workshop by ChelseaBody from the Drag Race Holland and the Embodiment workshop from the LGBT Youth Performance Initiative Amsterdam
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Explored digital activism, producing videos, podcast, phot-project and a research presentation on different topics of their interest, about the LGBTQIA+ community
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Went on bike trip, hiked for pride, camped outside and discovered the Overijssel province of the Netherlands with its beautiful landscapes and intercultural aspects
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Organized and performed Street Actions in the city of Zwolle, raising awareness about the LGBTQIA+ Spectrum.
The project was organized in 2021 together with Olde Vechte Foundation and it was funded by Erasmus+ program and the Erasmusplus Jeugd.
Partners: Bilitis Foundation (Bulgaria), Cassero LGBTI+ Center (Italy), Roes Cooperativa (Greece), Collippo (Portugal), Drustvo DIH (Slovenia).
Disclaimer: The information and views set out in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Neither the European Union institutions and bodies nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.